Film Noir - is it a genre of the past?

[Ancient One]

I dont think that it is dead at least no more than genres such as westerns or War movies. Burried's point that todays films are all about the action/ explosions or comedy is a valid one.
Any film nowadays that has the slightest bit of gravitas is quickly labelled as "indie" and lost in circulation hell.
Noir films also suffer ( as do westerns) from being extremely constrictive. To remain true to the film noir ethos plots have to be formulaic to a greater extent than other genres.
The other factor that deters film makers is possibly the need for a REALLY good script. A noir movie lives or dies on its script/ dialogue due to the fact that if you add too much action to cover plotholes you lose the "feel" of what you are aiming for.
Personally I love the genre but it is definately getting harder to find new examples.

[ray100]

Hollywood these days does seem to go for the lowest common denominator.
One difference between noir and westerns is that westerns were able to migrate to TV for a while before petering out.

[DJMcKee]

Rather interesting post, I agree that all genres or sub-genres have a so called life cycle, but you must hence the word cycle and I do firmly believe they will come round again. The closest film has touched Film Noir in my opinion would be the like likes of Sin City generally due to the stylish shots and scenes used. And of course the black and white theme in the City itself. Maybe im wrong but thats my take.

[peterraul]

well indicating film noir as a genre is another discussion in itself (coined by the french to the American 'gangster' and 'crime' films of the typical age)
i think the influence will always be there especially with the recent discovery in such films as sin city etc and also subtle hints of the conventions in other 'genre' films (typically dating to the 40s settings). thus i think critics can generally apply it to such films though whether if it is pure film noir is arguable..

[selfords]

Film Noir is almost dead to maiumnstream hollywood as these films tend to be script dominated and hollywood is only interested in script light big effect movies.
Plus can you think of any actors to riuval those of the 40's

[hawktheslayer]

I think that Noir is much more about the style and "feel" of a movie, whereas genre movies fit quite nicely into what the setting is, e.g. sci-fi, horror, etc.

But you can get sci-fi noir (Bladerunner) & Horror noir (Angel Heart), etc.

The archetypal film noir (if there is such a thing) seems to be centred around the 1940's, whether made during that period (Double Indemnity) or set during that period (The Man Who Wasn't There). Interestingly, the concept seems to be a bit more hit and miss when given a contemporary setting, e.g. The Last Seduction (hit), After Dark, My Sweet (miss).

Perhaps rather than being considered as a genre, noir should be either considered a style or a period.

I think noir is by far the widest ranging cinematic collectives which gives it a fantastic depth, but also makes it incredibly hard to define. Which I guess is why I like it so much.

[Lingo]

I think as with most movements, Film Noir was a product of its time, precisely because much is left unsaid. The strict laws regarding censorship in 40 and 50s America and of course the cold war helped to create this specific atmosphere of subtlety that is not often achieved in modern filmmaking.

[thedude]

A superb question J-man. However, Ancient has answered exactly what I was thinkingm, it would be superflous for me to post my thoughts.

I will say its a shame about the lack of it, because as a Genre it is, possibly, one of the most interesting out there, unfortunatly I dont think the talent that is out there is looking to make a Noir picture. Mores the pity says I.

[ferriscooler]

Originally Posted by ray100

Agree about Max Payne. A few Coen brothers films have been mentioned, I would like to add Blood Simple. Also the more recent A Simple Plan by Sam Raimi had a noirish feel to it, but I did not rate this film as highly as some others.

Blood Simple is so great - i think its their most under-rate and least seen film, Hudsucker Proxy too - i only just saw it recently and thought it was great. they really are bullet proof minus Intolerable Cruelty and The Producers

[Siegfried]

Originally Posted by ferriscooler

Blood Simple is so great - i think its their most under-rate and least seen film, Hudsucker Proxy too - i only just saw it recently and thought it was great. they really are bullet proof minus Intolerable Cruelty and The Producers

The Producers - original written and directed by Mel Brooks; remake also written by Mel Brooks and directed by Susan Stroman.